In re the Est. of Camarda, 63 A.D.2d 837 (N.Y. App. Div. 1978). · Go Syfert
In re the Est. of Camarda, 63 A.D.2d 837 (N.Y. App. Div. 1978). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
65 citation events (35 in the last 25 years) across 4 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1980 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1980 2003 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 23 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Ostrowski
N.Y. Surr. Ct., Erie Cty. · 2025 · confidence medium
This is a major consideration in determining whether a bank account was opened as a matter of convenience or as a joint account ( see Matter of Corcoran , supra , at 95-98; Matter of Camarda , 63 AD2d 837, 839 [1978]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Wojcik
N.Y. Surr. Ct., Broome Cty. · 2024 · confidence medium
See Banking Law § 675 (b); In re Estate of Stalter , 270 AD2d 594, 595-596 (3d Dept 2000); Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 (4th Dept 1978).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Najjar (Sanzone)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2021 · confidence medium
In order for that statutory presumption to apply, "words of survivorship must appear on the signature card or ledger that creates the bank account" ( Matter of Camarda , 63 AD2d 837, 838 [4th Dept 1978], citing Matter of Fenelon , 262 NY 308 [1933] and Matter of Coddington , 56 AD2d 697 [3d Dept 1977]; see Matter of Grancaric , 91 AD3d 1104, 1105 [3d Dept 2012]; Matter of Costantino , 31 AD3d 1097, 1099 [4th Dept 2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sweetman v. Suhr
N.Y. App. Div. · 2018 · confidence medium
Thus, the funds in the account belonged solely to plaintiff ( see Matter of Friedman , 104 AD2d 366, 367 [2d Dept 1984], affd 64 NY2d 743 [1984]; Matter of Camarda , 63 AD2d 837, 838-839 [4th Dept 1978]; see generally Matter of Harrison , 184 AD2d 42, 45 [3d Dept 1992]), and defendant may not, in equity and good conscience, retain such funds in payment of a debt that plaintiff did not owe.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re the Estate of Jewett
N.Y. App. Div. · 2016 · confidence medium
The executor of an estate is primarily charged with settling and distributing the estate of the decedent (see Matter of Kohler, 231 NY 353, 365 [1921]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 837 [1978]), and it is incumbent upon the executor to maintain “clear and accurate accounts of the estate” (Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d at 837 ; see Matter of Carbone, 101 AD3d 866 , 869 [2012]; Matter of Mink, 91 AD3d 1061, 1063-1064 [2012]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sweetman v. Suhr
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“Although the bank account is designated as ‘joint,’ the account documents do not contain the necessary survivorship language, and thus the statutory presumption of a right of survivorship does not apply” (Matter of Degnan, 55 AD3d 1238, 1239 [2008]; see Matter of Randall, 176 AD2d 1219, 1219 [1991]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sweetman v. Suhr
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“Although the bank account is designated as ‘joint,’ the account documents do not contain the necessary survivorship language, and thus the statutory presumption of a right of survivorship does not apply” (Matter of Degnan, 55 AD3d 1238, 1239 [2008]; see Matter of Randall, 176 AD2d 1219, 1219 [1991]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Carbone
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
In any event, £i[a]s the [executor] of decedent’s estate, it was incumbent upon petitioner to maintain ‘clear and accurate records,’ absent which ‘all presumptions . . . and all doubts are to be resolved adversely to [him]’ ” (Matter of Mink, 91 AD3d at 1063-1064 , quoting Matter of Camareta, 63 AD2d 837, 837 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Carbone
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
In any event, £i[a]s the [executor] of decedent’s estate, it was incumbent upon petitioner to maintain ‘clear and accurate records,’ absent which ‘all presumptions . . . and all doubts are to be resolved adversely to [him]’ ” (Matter of Mink, 91 AD3d at 1063-1064 , quoting Matter of Camareta, 63 AD2d 837, 837 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re the Estate of Mink
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
As the administrator of decedent’s estate, it was incumbent upon petitioner to maintain “clear and accurate records,” absent which “all presumptions . . . and all doubts are to be resolved adversely to [him]” (Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 837 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Grancaric
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
Spain, J.P When a bank account is opened in two names, “in form to be paid or delivered to either, or the survivor of them” (Banking Law § 675 [a]) and survivorship language appears on a joint bank account’s signature card, a statutory presumption arises that the parties intended to create a joint account with rights of survivorship (see Matter of Corcoran, 63 AD3d 93, 95 [2009]; Matter of Stalter, 270 AD2d 594, 595 [2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 760 [2000]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Yaros
N.Y. App. Div. · 2011 · confidence medium
Although Laura Yaros Greenberg (hereinafter Greenberg), the decedent’s daughter, claimed a right of survivorship in the account, she previously described the account as a “dual signature account,” which her father wanted so that his money would be “safeguarded.” In addition to these statements, which supported the conclusion that the account was created as a convenience account, evidence was submitted showing that the decedent was the sole depositor to the account, that Greenberg never made any withdrawals from the account, and that the creation of a joint account would represent a s…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Costantino
N.Y. App. Div. · 2009 · confidence medium
Petitioner rebutted the presumption of Banking Law § 675 by establishing “ ‘that the joint accounts] had been opened in that form as a matter of convenience only’ ” (Matter of Stalter, 270 AD2d 594, 596 [2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 760 [2000]; see Matter of Friedman, 104 AD2d 366, 367 [1984], affd 64 NY2d 743 [1984]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re the Estate of Velie
N.Y. App. Div. · 2009 · confidence medium
Petitioner failed to establish that the account was created for convenience only (see Matter of Friedman, 104 AD2d 366, 367 [1984], affd 64 NY2d 743 [1984]; Matter of Richichi, 38 AD3d 558, 559 [2007]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]), or that the account was created as the result of fraud, undue influence, or decedent’s lack of capacity (see Matter of Kleinberg v Heller, 38 NY2d 836, 840 [1976]; Matter of Stalter, 270 AD2d 594, 595-596 [2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 760 [2000]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re the Estate of Corcoran (2×)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2009 · confidence medium
Banking Law § 675 (a) provides, in pertinent part, that “[w]hen a deposit of cash . . . has been made . . . in or with any banking organization 1 ... in the name of [the] depositor . . . and another person and in form to be paid or delivered to either, or the survivor of them, such deposit . . . and any additions thereto made, by either of such persons . . . shall become the property of such persons as joint tenants.” When an account has been formed in accordance with the statute, and the “survivorship” language appears on the account’s signature card, a presumption arises that the …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re the Estate of Johnson
N.Y. App. Div. · 2004 · confidence medium
Further, as no claim has been made of fraud, undue influence or lack of capacity (see Banking Law § 675 [b]; Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 838 [1978]), the issue becomes whether petitioner has “tender[ed] ‘direct proof or substantial circumstantial proof, clear and convincing and sufficient to support an inference that the joint account had been opened in that form as a matter of convenience only’ ” (Matter of Stalter, supra at 596, quoting Matter of Coddington, 56 AD2d 697, 698 [1977]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re the Estate of Timoshevich
N.Y. App. Div. · 1987 · confidence medium
Under these circumstances, it was incumbent upon petitioner to show that decedent’s will was not overborne and that she intended to make a gift of the assets in the bank account to petitioner (see, Matter of Camarda, supra, at 839).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brezinski v. Brezinski
N.Y. App. Div. · 1983 · confidence medium
The presumption of joint tenancy may only be refuted by “ ‘direct proof or substantial circumstantial proof, clear and convincing and sufficient to support an inference that the joint account had been opened in that form as a matter of convenience’ ” (Matter of Camarda, supra, p 838, quoting Matter of Coddington, supra, p 698) or by proving undue influence, fraud, or lack of capacity (see Matter of Kleinberg v Heller, supra, p 840).
discussed Cited "see" Thomas v. Thomas
N.Y. App. Div. · 2017 · signal: see · confidence high
Such fiduciary will not be permitted to jeopardize the interests of [the beneficiaries] by . . . forcing] them to demonstrate the substantially impossible,” i.e., that the stock was not transferred to the fiduciary by decedents (Matter of Greenberg, 158 Misc 446, 448 [1936]; see Matter of Zuckerman, 8 Misc 2d 57, 59 [1957]; see generally Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 839 [1978]).
discussed Cited "see" THOMAS, JOSEPH M. v. THOMAS, TOM J.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2017 · signal: see · confidence high
Such fiduciary will not be permitted to jeopardize the interests of [the beneficiaries] by . . . forc[ing] them to demonstrate the substantially impossible,” i.e., that the stock was not transferred to the fiduciary by decedents (Matter of Greenberg, 158 Misc 446, 448 ; see Matter of Zuckerman, 8 Misc 2d 57, 59 ; see generally Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 839 ).
discussed Cited "see" Thomas v. Thomas
N.Y. App. Div. · 2017 · signal: see · confidence high
Such fiduciary will not be permitted to jeopardize the interests of [the beneficiaries] by . . . forcing] them to demonstrate the substantially impossible,” i.e., that the stock was not transferred to the fiduciary by decedents (Matter of Greenberg, 158 Misc 446, 448 [1936]; see Matter of Zuckerman, 8 Misc 2d 57, 59 [1957]; see generally Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 839 [1978]).
discussed Cited "see" Brezinski v. Brezinski
N.Y. App. Div. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
With the proof thus curtailed, the court held that plaintiff had not overcome the presumption that in opening the accounts plaintiff had intended to create a joint tenancy with her son (Banking Law, § 675, subd [b]; see Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837 ; Matter of Coddington, 56 AD2d 697 ).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." In re the Estate of Klecar
N.Y. App. Div. · 1994 · signal: see also · confidence low
We also agree with the Surrogate that if a tenancy in common in the account can be presumed, the presumption was rebutted by proof that the account was funded by the decedent with whom respondent stood in a confidential relationship and other evidence that the account was set up as a matter of convenience, and by the absence of evidence that the decedent intended to make a gift to respondent (supra, at 1011-1012; see also, Matter of Camarda, 63 AD2d 837, 839 ).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In the Matter of the Estate of Catherine Camarda, Mary Schiavone, as of Catherine Camarda, Appellant Nicholas Camarda, Jr.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
May 26, 1978.
63 A.D.2d 837
Cited by 48 opinions  |  Published

Order, insofar as it imposes a surcharge of $5,000 unanimously modified to $4,400; insofar as it imposes a surcharge of $1,500 for the household furnishings reversed and remitted unless within 20 days the parties stipulate to the value of the property in the possession of Rose Camerota and reduce the amount of the surcharge by that sum; and otherwise order affirmed, with costs to objectants. Memorandum: Appellant Mary Schiavone is the executrix of the estate of her mother, Catherine Camarda, whose will was admitted to probate in Surrogate’s Court, Onondaga County, in 1972. She filed an accounting of the estate on February 8, 1975 and her sister, Rose Camarda Conroy Camerota, and her brother, Nicholas Camarda, filed objections in April, 1975. After a nine-day trial, the Surrogate entered an order in which he sustained three of the objections. The executrix appeals from that order. Objection No. 1 charged that the executrix had failed to account for the personal property and household furnishings of the decedent. The Surrogate found that under the terms of the will all of the furnishings were bequeathed to Rose. The evidence indicated that the household furnishings had been variously distributed in such a manner that it was virtually impossible to trace them. Inasmuch as the executrix had placed a value of $1,500 on the furnishings when she filed the New York State estate tax return, the Surrogate adopted that sum and surcharged the executrix in that amount. The objectants did not dispute that value; nevertheless, there was testimony by Rose Camerota that she had taken the living room furniture. The executrix should not be surcharged for the value of that furniture but in other respects the evidence supports the determination of the Surrogate. The duties of an executrix are primarily and generally to settle and distribute the estate of her decedent (Matter of Kohler, 231 NY 353, 365). If the executrix fails to keep clear and accurate accounts of the estate entrusted to her, all presumptions are against her and all doubts are to be resolved adversely to her (Matter of Shulsky, 34 AD2d 545, 547, app dsmd 27 NY2d 743). Objection No. 2 charged that the executrix failed to account for cash assets in the amount of $5,000. Testimony established that the executrix had gathered various packets of money from the home of the decedent on the day of her death and estimated the amount at approxi[*838] mately $5,000. The Surrogate treated the executrix’ inclusion of $5,000 in cash on the New York State estate tax return as an admission of the receipt of that amount by the executrix. This determination is supported by the record and any doubts must be resolved against the executrix (Matter of Shulsky, supra). There was uncontested testimony, however, that she had distributed amounts of . $300 to her sister Rose and $300 to her brother Nicholas. The amount of the surcharge therefore should be reduced by the $600 already distributed. Objection No. 7 charged that the executrix had failed to include in her accounting money on deposit in three bank accounts which had been held in the names of the decedent and the executrix. Relying on section 675 of the Banking Law, the executrix contended that these accounts were joint bank accounts in which she had the right of survivorship and that therefore the money was hers. Section 675 of the Banking Law provides, in pertinent part, as follows: "(a) When a deposit of cash * * * has been made * * * in the name of [the] depositor * * * and another person and in form to be paid or delivered to either, or the survivor of them, such deposit * * * and any additions thereto made, by either of such persons * * * shall become the property of such persons as joint tenants * * * (b) The making of such deposit or the issuance of such shares in such form shall, in the absence of fraud or undue influence, be prima facie evidence, in any action or proceeding to which the banking organization, foreign banking corporation, surviving depositor or shareholder is a party, of the intention of both depositors or shareholders to create a joint tenancy and to vest title to such deposit or shares, and additions and accruals thereon, in such survivor. The burden of proof in refuting such prima facie evidence is upon the party or parties challenging the title of the survivor.” Where the form of the account is according to the foregoing section, it is presumed that the parties intended to create an account held in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship (Matter of Kleinberg v Keller, 38 NY2d 836; Matter of Reardon, 25 AD2d 370). The words of survivorship must appear on the signature card or ledger that creates the bank account (Matter of Fenelon, 262 NY 308; Matter of Coddington, 56 AD2d 697) and the passbook is evidence only of deposits, so that words of survivorship thereon are not controlling (Matter of Fenelon, supra; Matter of Coddington, supra). The statutory form is met in two of the bank accounts at issue here. Onondaga Savings Account No. 584,081 has a signature card and a ledger card both signed by the decedent which contain the words "joint” and "either or survivor may draw”. With respect to Syracuse Savings Bank Account No. 254,794, words of survivorship appear on the ledger card signed by the decedent. Words of survivorship on the ledger card have been found sufficient to meet the statutory form (Matter of Fenelon, supra, p 311). Both of those accounts, therefore, give rise to a presumption of joint tenancy pursuant to section 675 of the Banking Law. The burden of rebutting that presumption is on the challenger thereto, and he may prevail only by "direct proof or substantial circumstantial proof, clear and convincing and sufficient to support an inference that the joint account had been opened in that form as a matter of convenience” (Matter of Coddington, 56 AD2d 697, 698, supra; Matter of Poltorak, 39 AD2d 599, mot for lv to app den 31 NY2d 643), or by proving undue influence, fraud or lack of capacity (Matter of Kleinberg v Keller, 38 NY2d 836, 840, supra; Poerseh v Eldridge, 36 AD2d 193, 195). The evidence in the record at bar establishes that these accounts were opened as a matter of convenience. Decedent was an elderly Italian lady who could neither read nor write in either Italian or English. She could sign her name only by copying the configurations of her signature. She was[*839] unable to get around by herself because of her illiteracy and was dependent on her children to conduct her business affairs. There was no evidence to indicate that she intended to create a joint account or that she understood the nature and consequences of a joint account. She kept the passbooks herself, and the executrix herself testified that she would not have withdrawn any money from the accounts without her mother’s permission. Perhaps most persuasively, the decedent’s will leaves all of her estate to her four children, "share and share alike”, which certainly indicates an intent to leave her estate to all four children. Since these bank accounts constitute the major portion of that estate, it should not be presumed that she intended to give one daughter rights of survivorship in the bulk of her estate. Finally, the executrix herself did not seem to consider that these were joint accounts. Immediately following her mother’s death, she took her sister with her to withdraw the money from the accounts and established a new account jointly in the name of herself and her sister. She kept some of the money and had bonds and checks made payable to certain members of the family. A major factor in determining whether a bank account is opened as a matter of convenience or as a joint account is the conduct and statements of a surviving cotenant (Matter ofPoltorak, 39 AD2d 599, supra). Although the executrix never delivered the bonds and checks, and although she later withdrew all the money from the account, her initial conduct belies her belief that the money was hers. With respect to the other bank account, Onondaga Savings Account No. 616,503, the record clearly establishes that the funds in that account were transferred from an earlier account held in the names of decedent and her husband, Salvatore. At the time of his death, it was decided to transfer that money into a new account in the names of Mary and her mother. The only words of joint tenancy appear on the passbook. It is therefore clear from the rest of the testimony that this account also was created as a matter of convenience. In transactions of this type, where one of the parties is elderly, illiterate, or otherwise incapacitated and there is a fiduciary relationship such as mother and daughter, the burden of proof is on the person handling the financial affairs to show that the incapacitated party understood the nature of the transactions and that her will was not overborne by the stronger party (Allen v La Vaud, 213 NY 322; Matter of McMurdo, 56 AD2d 602; Matter of Gordon, 17 AD2d 165; Matter of Dziadzio, 31 Mise 2d 125; Matter of Ricisak, 2 Misc 2d 717). Given the fiduciary or confidential relationship which existed between decedent and the executrix, the fact that decedent was elderly and could neither read nor write, and that decedent entrusted her financial affairs to her daughter, the burden clearly shifted to the executrix to show that her mother knowingly and willfully intended to make a gift to her of the assets in the bank accounts. She did not sustain her burden (see Matter of McMurdo, 56 AD2d 602, supra; Matter of Levy, 19 AD2d 413) and should be surcharged in the amount of those accounts. (Appeal from order of Onondaga Surrogate’s Court—judicial settlement.) Present—Moule, J. P., Cardamone, Simons, Dillon and Denman, JJ.